Overview of the different file types

 

 

 

Summary

 

  1. General Information.

  2. Templates.

  3. Document Categories and Different Types of Documents   

 

  1. General Information.

 

TopSolid  uses different types of documents. They are grouped in 3 categories based on their daily use. All types of documents have their specificities. They have common menus (Home, Tools, etc.) but also their own menus and functions. It can be useless, for example, to have a shape menu in a draft. The TopSolid environment adapts automatically based on the document selection.

TopSolid also allows to import files from other CAD software or to export files to this kind of software.

 

  1. Templates.

 

As for projects, each TopSolid document can be created from templates. Each template contains data that will be retrieved by the document created from it. A template can be used to avoid having to create that data for each new document.

For example, if the user is modeling small parts and large parts, it can be useful to have a template for the small parts (with a frame defined to the millimeter and the mass in grams), and a template for the large parts (with a frame defined to the centimeter and the mass in kilograms). The template is a basic document that can include geometry, parameters, etc.

 

 

Using a template is like opening a document and saving as. The new document will be a completely independent copy, which means modifying the template will have no effect on documents already created. For example, if you change the company logo in the template title block, any document previously created from this template will keep the old logo.

 

 

  1. Document Categories and Different Types of documents:

 

Documents are grouped in 3 categories based on their use.

 

Part Document. This document allows you to create parts.

Assembly document. This document allows you to create assemblies containing one or more parts. A part can be created directly from the assembly with the Create part in place function.

Draft document. This document allows you to draft the parts and assemblies.

Bill of Material Document. This document allows to create a bill of material of the opened assembly.

Exploded Document. This document allows you to create an explosion of an assembly.

Drawing Document. This is a pure 2D document without any associativity between elements. Very easy to use, it contains 2d elements creation commands, trimming and transformation commands and detailing commands. It is useful to modify imported 2D drawing. For 2D drawing that need a more complex detailing, it is possible to include a drawing document into a drafting document (and be able to manage a title bloc for example).

Split Document. This document allows to create split of molding blocks (CC blocks, inserts...). And we don't care about the goal of this splitting operation (Die cast, injection, molding, prototype...).

Mold document. This document allows to create a mold design, with tools (cooling system, multi cavity management, tooling components, ...) dedicated to its design.

Work. This command allows to define Processes that will be applied to documents used to define Tasks, or applied to documents created by previous processes.

 

 

Nesting: (Optional). This document allows to place Part documents on a support by entering the number of each part.

Draft Bundle. This document allows to group together several draft documents of different sizes in one document. In order to print them or create presentation with slides.

Wizard Document. This document allows you to create and define the way in which the associated document will be inserted into the assembly. For example, the Wizard document for a library component will allow you to define the positioning frames for this component when inserting it into the assembly.

Family Document. This document allows you to define a family by adding the matching codes and values. For example, a screw family will define the sizes of all existing screws.

Filter Document. This document allows you to define a visualization filter that can then be used by the Filter by Properties command.

Assembly Function Document. This document allows you to define publication sets which can be used in other assemblies. Contextual menu on Publishings folder allows to create an Optional Publishings subfolder. It allows to not fill in the values of elements published in this subfolder using this function document into another document when it is not necessary.

Part Function Document. This document allows you to define publication sets which can be used in other parts. For example, a screw function can have all the parameters, frames and functions (cylinder and thread) necessary to create other types of screws. To create Cylindrical Head screw, you can simply use the screw function and add a head. To make screw H, the screw function is also used on which the h head will be modeled. Contextual menu on Publishings folder allows to create an Optional Publishings subfolder. It allows to not fill in the values of elements published in this subfolder using this function document into another document when it is not necessary.

Material Document. This document allows you to define all the features of a given material.

Unfolding Document. Specific to sheet metal, this document allows you to create a flat view of sheet metal parts.

3D Modeling document. This document allows you to create 3D entities which can be used as background documents. For example, the axis lines and contact areas of a motor on which the user will be working.

Family driving document. This command allows to define the parameters to drive of a generic document.

Analysis Preparation. This document allows you to create analyses of completed items.

Plastic flow analysis preparation. This document allows you to create a Plastic flow rheological analysis of your plastic parts.

Search document. This document allows to save a search in a project to be able to use it again later.

Part Process Document. This document allows you to create the operations performed when inserting the associated part into the assembly. For example, the process for a screw could be spot facing, drilling and tapping that will be automatically suggested when inserting the screw into an assembly.

Coating Document. This document allows you to create coatings that can be attributed to parts. Coatings are displayed when using the realistic rendering mode.

Texture Document. This document allows you to create textures that will be the "image" of the material or coating.

 

 

Report Definition. This document contains the definition of the report template used to create an analysis report by finish item or to create e-mail templates. The customization is done with the Stimulsoft editor. The help for this product is not provided by TOPSOLID  or its resellers.

Enumeration Document. For example, the "Portal" enumeration document can list the different portal types (sliding, double slider, straight, etc,). This information can be then used in a user enumeration parameter.

Environment Document. This document allows you to create environments that are reflected in parts in realistic rendering mode reflections.

Material Equivalences. This document allows to share machining properties of a reference material with a list a equivalences material. In a machining document (CAM or SheetMetal), it groups together the materials that have the same cutting conditions. This document must be added to the Favorites folder of the project in order to be used.

Finishing document: This document allows you to create finishings that can be attributed to parts. Finishings are displayed when using the realistic rendering mode.

2D function document. This document allows you to define publication sets, which can be used for other 2D models.

3D function document. This document allows you to define publication sets which can be used for other 3D models

2D Modeling Document. This document allows you to model 2D entities which can be used as background documents For example, the 2D drawing of a building, on which the user will work. It also allows to create symbols (electric, hydraulic or others) usable in draft documents.

Thread Standard Document. This document allows you to create your own thread standard or a standard not supplied by TopSolid.

Screw Spot Facing Standard Document. This document allows you to create your own spot facing standard.

Drilling Hole Standard Document. This document allows you to create your own hole drilling standard.

Machining processes Document. This document allows to create machining processes. They can be assigned to some operations. They are recognized by TopSolid'Cam.

Property Document. This document allows you to create a customized property based on a setting that can be then attributed to a part or assembly. This property can be searched and its value, retrieved in BOM.

Wizard Rules Document. This document allows to associate a wizard document with a family document. All these documents must use the same function document.

Unfolding Rules Document. This document allows you to define the behavior of unfoldings (loss at bends, bending methods, thicknesses, etc.).

Process Rules Document. This document allows to associate a process document with a wizard and /or a family document. All these documents must use the same function document.

Piping Rules Document. This document allows you to define the tube, elbow and connection to use, as well as the different rules for designing the piping.